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The Demise of School Libraries

The Demise of School Libraries

by Shannon Rapo

The demise of school libraries has been a hot topic in the world of public schools for over a decade. Budget cuts in education have forced many schools to shutter its library or significantly reduce funding. There is also the issue of loss of librarians. According to Keith Curry Lance, a reporter for the School Library Journal, “Between the 1999–2000 and 2015–16 school years, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the profession lost the equivalent of more than 10,000 full-time school librarian positions nationwide.” 



In her article “Denver Teacher Librarian Brings Students Back to Library”, Kara Yorio showcases a teacher librarian who saw the demise of her library due to lack of focus on reading in the district as well as a complete lack of support from the teachers. The article suggests that if no one is using the library then of course it becomes obsolete. Fortunately, the librarian recognized this and began a campaign towards teachers to get their students back in the library and showed them the resources they could be provided with and the value that would be given. Had it not been for the determination of this librarian, the library would have continued to remain an untapped resource for the students.


For the school library, demise does not have to be a given. Libraries are transforming themselves, and librarians are varying their skill sets beyond the Dewey Decimal system to makerspaces, technology labs and research hubs. This all goes in line with the importance of information dissemination that comes from books, but also from many other sources that can now be found in a library. If the library does not transform, it will become obsolete, but if it can transform with new developments, it can continue to thrive and be a relevant source of information for all students.


Works Cited


Lance, Keith Curry. “School Librarian, Where Art Thou? (Cover Story).” School Library Journal, vol. 64, no. 3, Mar. 2018, pp. 36–44. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=128357310&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed 24 April, 2021.


Yorio, Kara. “Denver Teacher LIbrarian Brings Students Back to Library.” SLJ, https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=denver-teacher-librarian-brings-students-back-to-library. Accessed 24 April, 2021.

Comments

  1. Emily SirkinApril 28, 2021 at 7:32 PM

    There have been a couple times when I have doubt about the employability of this career. I love all the subjects that are taught in our program, and I think it is such a meaningful path to pursue. Indeed, I am excited to be working at a public or academic library helping people finding relevant information, coordinating literacy programs, and collaborating in the progress of the library. However, I just read an article https://theconversation.com/143-518-us-public-library-workers-are-keeping-their-communities-informed-connected-and-engaged-but-their-jobs-may-be-at-risk-157495, which states that despite all the greatness that librarians did throughout the Covid crises, they are still at risk of losing their jobs. Articles like this one makes me very anxious about no finding a job when I finish with this program.

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